For foreign nationals wishing to immigrate to Canada, correctly stating your work experience can play a decisive role in obtaining permanent residence (PR).
Work experience is required to meet the criteria of many immigration programs, and both Canadian and foreign experience are taken into account when awarding points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for Express Entry candidates.
In this article, we will look at common reasons why IRCC officers may question your work experience and the possible steps PR applicants can take to clarify misunderstandings.
Questions about whether the National Occupational Classification (NOC) was selected correctly
In some cases, the officer may disagree with how you have classified your work experience. In that case, you need to provide additional evidence that your experience matches the selected NOC code.
The Canadian government uses the NOC system to classify occupations.
Express Entry candidates and PR applicants must select the NOC code that most accurately reflects each of the occupations for which they are claiming work experience. This must be stated both in the candidate profile (prior to receiving the invitation to apply for PR) and in the actual application.
Choosing the correct NOC code means that you performed all the actions listed in the main description and a significant portion of the main duties (including all essential duties) for the chosen code.
If the IRCC officer is not satisfied or doubts the applicability of the code you selected, you may provide additional documents:
Examples of possible documents:
- A letter from your employer confirming that you performed work according to the main description and duties in the NOC;
- Photos showing you performing the relevant work;
- Receipts or reports reflecting the tasks you performed;
- Qualification certificates (for regulated professions);
- In the case of self-employment: registration documents, tax reports, proof of services rendered to clients.
Affidavits or self-written descriptions of duties are not accepted as proof of self-employment.
Questions about self-employment and Canadian work experience
Many immigration streams do not recognize self-employment experience as valid.
If you are claiming Canadian work experience—which significantly increases your chances—you must prove that you were officially employed.
This is especially important for applicants under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program, where self-employment is not counted.
If you claim experience in Canada but self-employed status is not allowed, you must prove that the experience was gained from a third party.
What you can provide:
- Copies of recent T4 slips;
- Notices of Assessment (NOA) from the CRA;
- Letters from employers confirming periods of employment.
If T4 or NOA are not available, you may include:
- A reference letter from the employer;
- Employment contract;
- Pay stubs.
IRCC will evaluate:
- Control over the time and method of performing the work;
- Whether you use your own tools/equipment;
- Whether you perform the work personally or hire others;
- Whether you bear financial risk or investment;
- The presence of contracts.
Documents showing that you did not control the company, did not hire other workers, and did not invest may be helpful.
Questions about experience in a regulated profession
If you are claiming experience in a regulated profession (e.g., lawyer, doctor), IRCC officers will want to ensure that you held the appropriate license in the jurisdiction where you worked.
IRCC verifies what requirements apply in the country where you are claiming the experience and whether there is evidence that you met those requirements.
Important: Sometimes it is up to you to indicate what requirements apply in your country for that profession.
If in doubt, IRCC officers may request:
- Documents proving the experience (contracts, receipts, reviews).